The City of Fremantle has been handed the keys to a revolutionary zero-emission, hydrogen-powered car for a week-long trial.
The Toyota Mirai is a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) driven by a motor powered by electricity generated from a chemical reaction between hydrogen stored on board and oxygen in the air.
It looks and drives like a normal car, has a range of more than 500 kilometres and emits nothing but water vapour.
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said it was exciting to test drive a car that could be the future of emission-free motoring.
“Sustainable travel and transport is one of the 10 key principles that underline the City of Fremantle’s One Planet strategy,” Mayor Pettitt said.
“As well as promoting alternative modes of transport like cycling and public transport, the City has also supported the uptake of low-emission vehicles through initiatives like installing electric vehicle charging points at the Cappuccino strip car park and trialling an electric-powered rubbish truck.
“This hydrogen-powered FCEV is absolute cutting-edge technology and the only thing that comes out of the exhaust pipe is water vapour, with no emissions of carbon dioxide or any other harmful substances.
“It’s exciting to think that an emission-free car like this one could become a common sight on our roads in the very near future.”
Toyota WA fleet sales manager Craig Snook said Toyota has been developing FCEVs for more than 25 years in order to make a contribution to the development of a hydrogen-based society.
“The Mirai is 100 per cent electric, and doesn’t need to be recharged. Instead, it uses its unique fuel cell stack to generate electricity and power the motor with zero emissions,” Mr Snook said.
“Toyota began market sales of the Mirai in Japan in December 2014, making significant first steps towards achieving the future vision for mobility and the environment.
“With its visionary fuel cell technology, the Mirai is pioneering the future of emission-free driving.
“But for us, it’s also the first step on a more important journey that sees hydrogen not just powering our vehicles, but also used as a clean, safe energy source throughout society.”
Toyota will make 20 of the hydrogen vehicles available to select business and government fleets in Australia from early next year, and a local hydrogen refuelling station has been confirmed to open in Jandakot by mid-2021.
